THE AIRFORCE - MEDALS AND DECORATIONS

On Friday, 25 April 2003, the old SANDF
emblems were phased out in a Retreat Ceremony. At a parade on Tuesday
29 April 2003, the new SANDF flags, emblem and medal series were presented.
Images of the old medals may be found here.

Bravery

Decorations for bravery are Nkwe ya Gauta (NG), Nkwe ya Selefera (NS) and Nkwe ya Boronse (NB), which shall be awarded for bravery in military
operations in the place of the Castle of Good Hope Decoration, the Honoris Crux (Silver) and the Honoris Crux. Distinctive bars to be worn on the ribbon
of the decoration mark subsequent awards.

Nkwe ya Gauta (NG)
(the Golden Leopard)
For a single act of valour.

Nkwe ya Selefera (NS)
(the Silver Leopard)
For exceptional deeds of bravery
while in great danger.

Nkwe ya Boronse (NB)
(the Bronze Leopard)
For deeds of bravery while in danger.

Ad Astra Decoration
To aircrew members on board
aircraft for excellent flying skills or
outstanding ingenuity or skill during
emergencies or unusual situations.

Air Force Cross
For controlling personnel,
weaponry or other equipment in
dangerous situations.

Merit

Decorations for leadership, meritorious conduct or devotion to duty are iPhrothiya yeGolide (PG), iPhrothiya yeSiliva (PS) and iPhrothiya yeBhronzi
(PB), which shall be awarded instead of the Southern Cross Decoration, the Southern Cross Medal and the Military Merit Medal. Again, distinction
bars to be worn on the ribbon mark further awards of the same decoration.

iPhrothiya yeGolide (PG)
(the Golden Protea)
To officers for outstanding service
of the highest order and utmost
devotion to duty.

iPhrothiya yeSiliva (PS)
(the Silver Protea)
To officers for exceptionally meritorious
service and particular devotion to duty.

iPhrothiya yeBhronzi (PB)
(the Bronze Protea)
To members who have distinguished
themselves by perfoming services
of the highest order.

Pro Virtute Decoration
In recognition of distinguished
conduct and exceptional combat
leadership by officers in the field.

Pro Virtute Medal
In recognition of distinguished
conduct and exceptional combat
leadership by other ranks in the field.

Pro Merito Decoration
To other ranks for outstanding
service of the highest order and
utmost devotion to duty.

Pro Merito Medal
To other ranks for exceptionally
meritorious service and particular
devotion to duty.

For actions demanding not quite the exceptional levels of achievement required for the decorations, there is the practice of mentioning individually
by name deserving members of the SANDF in the dispatches sent by Service Commanders via the Human Resource Support Centre, Section
Honours and Awards, during or after campaigns or operations.

Persons mentioned receive an emblem of the national Coat of Arms denoting mention, Okhankanyiweyo (Mention in Despatches) to wear on the
ribbon of the particular campaign medal or mounted on a ribbon bar covered with the material of the service dress tunic when they have no
campaign medal.

Campaign

The first of the campaign medals to be part of the new series is the Tshumelo Ikatelaho. (Note that the pronunciation of the two Tshivenda words
is "Tshumero Ikateraho" with the letter "l" sounded as an "r".)

Tshumelo Ikatelaho
(General Service Medal)
For brief periods of operational
service or minor campaigns and
other operations.

Pro Patria Medal
For service in the defence of the
RSA or the suppression or
prevention of terrorrism.

Southern Africa Medal
For participation in cross-border
activities in defence of the RSA.

Unitas Medal
For all members who intergrated
into the National Defence Force
on 27 April 1994.

Service

The Medalje vir Troue Diens will be awarded for completion of ten years' service marked by good conduct in the SANDF. Only one Loyal Service
Medal is conferred. For each additional period of ten years qualifying service, to a maximum of forty years, (which may be interrupted service),
during which the member's character and conduct have remained irreproachable, recognition may be accorded for the service by the award of
a bar to represent an additional award.

For Reserve service there is an emblem � a monogram of the letters "RD" - worn attached to the ribbon. The letters stand for Reserve
Distinction to accord special recognition for part-time service Officers and Other Ranks of the Reserves. Apart from the prescribed period of
twenty years loyal service to qualify for the award of the Bar to the Medalje vir Troue Diens, they must, among other requirements, have
served in the Reserve Force for no less than five years to qualify for the decoration. This may require service in excess of 20 years when
the recipient has had long service in the Regular Force.

Medalje vir Troue Diens
(Medal for Loyal Service)
After completion of ten years
service marked by good conduct.